Old School

I came across my husband's post on an old alumni message board and thought I'd post it.  He has such a gift for narrating.  I think he must get it from his Grandpa Joe who had his own radio show in Wisconsin for many years.

The school was a special place for me, and I trace a
big part of me back to those years.
Whether our stints there were many years or only a
few, I hope we all got to take something priceless
away from those days.

Early April '08

Some free hours after work the other day before
visiting my cousin at IHM that evening. A milder day
than usual and sunset approaching around 7:15 pm.
Seized the opportunity to stop at our school. Walked
past and below our chapel, down through our soccer
field, farther towards our woods. There stood a statue
of Christ, arms outstretched. At His feet were large
stones with kids' prayers scrawled all over them in
color, simple stuff, pure grafitti. I took my time
there.

The air is unmistakable. A flood of memories. That
little valley, a home away from home. Those same
barreling clouds, and I do remember lying flat and
watching. I know the river has flooded around it, but
I want to walk as far as possible. Just a stone's
throw from the Knoll. It stands cold and cloaked by
the trees, on its own island of one hill. I'll be back
with my son in the real Spring. It's getting darker.
He'll may be nearly walking by then, or at least
standing, and then the Fall. I want him to have a
stake in this, too. Better walk briskly back up. How
did we ever run this as kids? Winds gust. One, two
rabbits scurry nearby. Did we ever really sled this
far down? Steady strides, a total workout up, up, up
to the driveway and the best sunset I've ever caught
in the nick of time.